Vortigern
Estimates of when Vortigern came to power in Britain vary dramatically:
possibly around 425, perhaps about 440-5. He may have been a "high-king."
It is thought by some that Vortigern is not a name at all, but a title,
meaning "over king." Even his origins are disputed. According
to the available sources, Vortigern was a weak man of little character,
possessing few redeeming personal qualities. If these sources are correct,
it is hard to imagine that his ascent to power was by the acclaimation of
the members of Britain's ruling council, and is much easier to believe that
he gained his throne by treachery and murder.

Some support for this view is lent by Geoffrey of Monmouth, in his 12th
century History of the Kings of Britain. In it, Geoffrey tells
us of a King Constantine, who had three sons, Constans, Aurelius Ambrosius
(the Ambrosius Aurelianus of actual history) and Uther Pendragon (the
future father of Arthur). Geoffrey says that Constantine was killed by
a Pictish assassin, leaving the eldest son, Constans, as king.

Vortigern appears to have climbed his way high up the greasy pole by
securing an inspired marriage to Severa, the daughter of the Constantine's
predecessor and national hero, Magnus Maximus. As Constans was still quite
young, Vortigern was able to have himself installed as the king's advisor,
and before long, conspired to have the young king killed. With the king
out of the way, Vortigern seized the crown for himself, realizing that
Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon were mere babes and weren't in
a position, at that time, to frustrate his designs. Luckily for the young
brothers, they were bundled up and escaped to the court of their cousin,
Budic I, in Brittany.

According to the Historia Brittonum, a ninth century compilation
of writings by a Welsh monk called Nennius, Vortigern came to power threatened
with three dangers on his mind:

"Vortigern ruled in Britain and during his rule in Britain he
was under pressure, from fear of the Picts and the Irish (Scots), and
of a Roman invasion, and, not least, from dread of Ambrosius."

The fear of the Picts and Scots was completely natural since the British
northern defenses were ineffective and in severe disarray. The fear of a
Roman invasion suggests either great paranoia on Vortigern's part (the Romans
had had no presence in Britain for years) or that there was very good reason
(of which we are ignorant, today) to be concerned about a reappearance of
Roman soldiers on the shores of Britain. The final fear, of Ambrosius, was
to have fatal consequences. Vortigern dreaded retribution, for the murder
of his father and older brother, but Ambrosius was still young and the High-King
could afford to defer any action for some years.

It was during Vortigern's reign that St. Germanus appears at the Royal Court.
Traditional this is said to have been St. Germanus of Auxerre, who is known
to have visited Britain at this time to stamp out the Palagian heresy that
had become so popular. His first journey took him from Caer-Rebuti (Richborough)
to Caer-Lundein (London) and Caer-Mincip (St.Albans), all in South-East
England. However, stories of his leading an army against invading Saxon
pirates, probably in Cheshire, may refer to a different man. The saint who
spent some time in Vortigern's presence - probably at Caer-Guricon (Wroxeter,
Shropshire) where excavation has revealed the residence of a powerful 5th
century noble - may have been the Breton St. Garmon who was active across
Wales. This saint accused Vortigern of fathering a child by his own daughter.
Though disgusted by the British High-King, Garmon - or Germanus - favoured
the man's sons, at least two of whom he appears to have blessed.

Even with the support of his brothers-in-law, who were now powerful rulers
in Wales, Vortigern's grip on the country was still shaky; but when Severa
died the situation worsened. To aid the Britons in their defense against
the increasingly brutal raids from the northern tribes, Vortigern therefore
authorized the use of Saxon and Jutish mercenaries, led by Princes Hengist
& Horsa. In line with the standard Roman practice of employing one
barbarian tribe to defend against another, the Saxons received land to
be used for settlement in exchange for their services.

Geoffrey of Monmouth claims that the two brothers asked for all the land
they could cover with a single ox-hide. Vortigern eagerly agreed, but
found that Hengist cut the hide into a lengthy thong that was able to
encompass the whole city of Caer-Correi (Caistor, Lincs)! Vortigern must,
however, have found reassurance in the words of the Jutish chief, as recorded
in the "Kentish Chronicle":

"Hengest said to Vortigern. . .'Take my advice, and you will never
fear conquest by any man or any people, for my people are strong. I will
invite my son and his cousin to fight against the Irish, for they are
fine warriors.'"

The anti-Pict/Irish strategy that Vortigern chose to employ proved to
be successful, since these tribes were never a problem, again, and the
arrangement between the Saxons under their leader, Hengest, and Vortigern
was agreeable to both parties for some time. Later, however, they tricked
the High-King again: this time into handing over to them the Sub-Kingdom
of Ceint (Kent). Getting drunk at a celebratory feast, the foolish Vortigern
fell deeply in love with Hengist's daughter, Rowena. He promised Hengist
anything he wanted, if only he could marry her. Ceint was the Saxon's
price.

Sickened by the betrayal of his countrymen, Vortigern's eldest son, Vortimer,
declared himself a rival British leader, raised an army and, for a short
time, managed to stem the Saxon advance. Wounded in battle, however, he
was poisoned by his step-mother. From their secure power-base, the Saxons
then demanded more food and clothing to supply their increased numbers
and Vortigern refused them, saying, "we cannot give you more food
and clothing for your numbers are grown." The Saxons, however, would
not accept this answer. Nennius tells us,

"So they took counsel with their elders to break the peace."

They tore through the land, leaving devastation wherever they went. Many
were killed during the ensuing battles, amongst them, Horsa & Vortigern's
son, Catigern. Hengist eventually called for a peace conference on Salisbury
Plain. The British arrived and were promptly cut down where they stood.
This decision on the part of the Saxons would result in several generations
of war with the Britons.

Vortigern escaped to set up a stronghold in the west. He chose to build
a castle on the southern slopes of Yr Aran, above Beddgelert (Gwynedd).
Construction began. However, every morning the previous day's work was
found demolished. Vortigern's magicians told him to seek a boy with no
father, born of the fairies. He would be able to solve the High-King's
problem. Vortigern's men searched far and wide and discovered such a boy
at what was soon to become Caer-Fyrddin (Carmarthen). His name was Myrddin
Emrys, or "Merlin" for short. Merlin revealed that at night
the mountain shook so that all buildings collapsed, because beneath it
were buried two fighting dragons. One white representing the Saxons and
one red representing the British, and the white one was winning! Afraid
of such an omen, Vortigern fled.

Disillusioned, the British finally rebelled against their High-King.
Ambrosius Aurelianus (Emrys Wledig), of whom Vortigern had previously
had no fear, had by now grown into a burly young man and took his place
in the events of the time to lead their struggle. Merlin handed over to
him the mountain site where Vortigern had failed to build, and it became
his fort of Dinas Emrys. Vortigern took refuge in the refortified hillfort
of Tre'r Ceiri in Yr Eifl (the Rivals) in Lleyn, but Ambrosius pursued
him and drove him south, via Nant Gwetheyrn and the sea to Ergyng and
a wooden castle on the old hillfort of Caer-Guorthigirn (Little Doward)
above Ganarew. Here, the castle was miraculously struck by lightning and
Vortigern burnt to death! He was later buried in a small chapel in Nant
Gwrtheyrn (Lleyn).